Improvement in fence-posts



FREEMAN, iDEL L & VANDERHOVEN..

Improvement in Fence-Posts- No. 125,189, l Patented April2,1a72.

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AUGUSTUS M. FREEMAN, CHARLES P. IDELL, AND BERGEN VANDER'HOVEN, OF METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN FENCE-POSTS.

Speccatlon forming part of Letters Patent No. 125,189, dated April 2, 1872.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, AUGUSTUS M. FREE MAN, lCHARLES P. IDELL, and BERGEN VAN DERHOVEN, of Metuchen, in the county of Middlesex and State of New Jersey, have invented an Improvement in Fences 5 and theiollowing is declared to be acorrect description thereof.

Clay and stone blocks have been used for the bases offence-posts 5 but diiiiculty has been experienced in making them of a character adapted to receive the end of a wooden post with a firm and durable connection. We make use of a clay block, upon which the post rests,and metal straps are inserted in this block and secured to the post by being entered in vertical incisions made in the post,\so that the metal straps are clamped between the thicknesses of wood, and thereby protected, and a much lirmer and more durable connection made than with the devices heretofore employed. l

In the drawing, Figure l is a side elevation of the fence-posts and clay blocks. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same at the line a: x; and Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing the key for securing the straps into the clay block.

The clay block a is to be molded of the desired size and shape with mortises for the reception of the metal straps b b and said block a is to be burned to the proper extent. The straps b b are to be secured in place within the block a, either by cement, sulphur, or other material poured into mortises and around such straps, or else the transverse key c is to be inserted through a mortise or hole provided for it in the block a, as seen in Fig. 3. lhe wooden post d is to have two vertical incisions at the proper distance apart for receiving the vertical straps b b, and the parts are connected by nails 0r screws passing through both the wood and the straps, and clamping such straps between the thicknesses ofthe wood, thereby making a very firm connection of the wooden post and the clay block. Three or more of these vstraps b b may be made use of, according to the size of the posts. The posts d are mortised for the reception of the rails f, and, where the ends of these rails come together, the board or strip ot' which each rail is composed is sawed off diag onally, so tha-t the two parts lap upon each other, as seen in Fig. l, at c; and these ends may be nailed or screwed so as to make a very firm connection. The cap-board g is to be applied, as usual.

We do not claim a stone or clay block into which iron straps or bolts are secured, and these, in turn, connected to the wooden posts, as these devices have been used.

y We claim as our invention- The clay block c made with mortises, into which the metal straps b b are secured, in combination with the wooden posts d having vertical incisions for receiving said straps b and nails or screws passing through the wood into and through the metal straps, as set forth.

Signed by us this 9th day of February, 1871.

AUGUSTUS M. FREEMAN. CHARLES P. IDELL. BERGEN VANDERH'OVEN.

Witnesses G. N. CUTTER, N. A. Woon. 

